Internet Changemakers

Claire van Zwieten is the Alumni Specialist at the Internet Society Foundation, where she leads a global network of changemakers shaping the future of the Internet. With a background in International Relations, Chinese Language and Culture, and a master’s in Crisis and Security Management, Claire brings a sharp eye for global dynamics and digital resilience. She thrives on building connections across borders and elevating the voices of those driving Internet accessibility, safety, and inclusion in their communities.

I'm a PhD candidate in International Relations at South Asian University, researching the interplay of risk and expertise in Internet governance. In addition to my research, I serve on the organizing committees of Youth IGF India and APIGA India, and the steering committee of the Global Internet Governance Academic Network. I was selected as an Internet Society Youth Ambassador in 2023 and was part of the NextGen@ICANN81 cohort. I'm committed to bridging academic research and policymaking in Internet governance to advance user-centric technology and digital spaces grounded in trust, security, and accessibility.

Abdulrahman Abotaleb is a Yemeni ICT engineer, journalist, Internet governance advocate and digital transformation strategist. He has a distinguished track record of leadership and engagement in Internet policy through key initiatives and events such as ISOC, ICANN, RIPE, and the AIGF. He is the founder of Yemen Science Network and has conducted exclusive interviews with Internet pioneers including Vint Cerf, Whitfield Diffie, and Robert Metcalfe. His work bridges technology, storytelling, and digital rights, amplifying voices from the MENA region.

Alan is a Peruvian policymaker, an ISOC Mid-career fellowship alumnus, and a lecturer at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. His central experience involves broadband policies, Meaningful and Universal Connectivity, ‎Ethics, and international/multilateral affairs. He has been appointed a member of the UN IGF Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) from 2022 to 2024.

I'm a tech enthusiast and a passionate researcher in the ever-evolving digital realm. As a technology entrepreneur and researcher, I'm constantly on the lookout for innovative ways to make the Internet a better, more resilient space. Love to engage with academia, build vibrant communities for research, and mentor the next generation of digital trailblazers. When I'm not immersed in my research, you'll find me contributing to various Internet Governance entities and activities, playing my part in shaping the future of the online world. I co-founded BASIS Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and the India Internet Foundation, where I've had the privilege of working with brilliant minds and making a tangible impact on the digital landscape. Currently, I'm proudly leading the Internet Society Kolkata Chapter as Chair, where I'm actively involved in capacity-building and raising awareness about the power of the Internet. As a passionate advocate for technology and its impact on society, I've had the privilege of being associated with some groundbreaking initiatives. One such project, AIORI - Advanced Internet Operations Research in India, has been a thrilling endeavor. We're on a mission to build a next-generation Internet Measurement Platform and DNS Research testbed, ensuring a seamless online experience for all. Kolkata IX, a pioneering community Internet Exchange Point (IXP) model in our country. By introducing the first-ever L Root instances in India, we successfully raised awareness among stakeholders and witnessed a significant surge in Root Servers' deployment. Additionally, I've contributed my expertise to the IETF capacity-building program, and got an opportunity to contribute towards building IETF community in India. Working alongside industry leaders, we created an environment that fostered innovation and collaboration, shaping the future of Internet standards. I've had the privilege of designing and implementing state-wide e-governance projects, empowering citizens, and streamlining administrative processes. Witnessing the transformative power of technology firsthand has been truly awe-inspiring. 📚 With a deep-rooted passion for leveraging technology for societal advancement, I'm excited to connect with fellow professionals who share the same vision.

I am an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of California Davis. My research focuses on the intersection of computer networking systems and public policy with an emphasis on online privacy. My work yields methodologies and analyses that provide empirical evidence on contentious questions in technology policy. I use conventional methods from both computer networking (large-scale Internet measurements) and the social sciences (surveys). My research focuses on three areas: (i) inferring capabilities for government surveillance created by the macroscopic structure of the Internet; (ii) revealing commercial surveillance enabled by consumer devices; (iii) Internet policy issues in the United States. My research in these areas is published in major Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) conferences on both cybersecurity (CCS) and networking (SIGCOMM, IMC). My studies have won multiple awards at computer networking conferences, including SIGCOMM Best Paper. ​Prior to joining UC Davis, I was a Ford Foundation Post-Doc Fellow at Northeastern, working with David Choffnes. I received my Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC San Diego in 2021, with Alex Snoeren and Alberto Dainotti as advisors. My doctoral dissertation studied the exposure to observation and selective tampering of traffic flowing toward countries, as well as their organizations and critical sectors. During my doctoral studies, I received Microsoft Research’s Dissertation Grant and served on the board of UCSD’s Graduate Women in Computing to advance diversity in the field. ​At Northeastern, I was also awarded the Future Faculty Fellowship and served as the Cultural and Spiritual Life Staff Affiliate, LGBTQA Resource Center. In broader academia, I have worked as an external reviewer for refereed publications ACM SIGCOMM CCR and Performance Evaluation, and served on the Technical Program Committee for IMC 2022-23 and PAM 2022. Before joining Northeastern, I worked for the United Nations, Akamai, and Schlumberger (where I served as a positioning engineer on a vessel that sailed around Europe, the Middle East, and North America).

Kim Ochs is an EdTech consultant and ISOC Mid-career Fellow Alumna, with extensive experience designing and implementing digital learning solutions across global contexts. Her work today focuses on advancing digital inclusion and education through innovative technology and cross-sector collaboration. Kim’s career spans technology research and private equity, start-ups, and higher education. She has held fellowships at the University of Oxford and Center for Democracy & Technology.